[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E775]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL R. MARTIN UMBARGER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TODD ROKITA

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2015

  Mr. ROKITA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished 
Hoosier and American, Major General R. Martin Umbarger, the Adjutant 
General of Indiana. Major General Umbarger is retiring after eleven 
years as the leader of the Indiana Army and Air National Guard, the 
Indiana Guard Reserve and support staff totaling more than 15,800 
personnel.
  Major General Umbarger began his career as an enlisted soldier for 
the Indiana Army National Guard in 1969. He was commissioned as a 
Second Lieutenant after graduating from the Indiana Military Academy as 
a distinguished military graduate. He has served as the Deputy 
Commanding General for the Reserve Component in the U.S. Army Forces 
Command, Assistant Division Commander for Training for the 38th 
Infantry Division, and as Commanding General of the 76th Infantry 
Brigade.
  Major General Umbarger earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 
business from the University of Evansville and attended the United 
States Command and General Staff College and United States Army War 
College. Major General Umbarger has directed the pre-mobilized 
training, deployment and redeployment of most of the Indiana Army and 
Air National Guard in support of the Global War on Terrorism. He has 
served as a member of the Secretary of the Army's Reserve Forces Policy 
Committee and currently serves on the Secretary of Defense's Reserve 
Forces Policy Board.
  As Secretary of State, I had the privilege of working with Major 
General Umbarger to protect Hoosiers serving in the military, both out-
of-state and overseas, by promoting and improving absentee voting 
processes. Major General Umbarger recognized the importance of ensuring 
that those fighting for our freedom had the opportunity to vote for 
those sending them into harm's way. He truly values the rights of the 
men and women under his command, and they know it.
  As Indiana's Fourth District Representative, I have also worked with 
Major General Umbarger on legislation which would study the structure 
of our military and how reserve components can be best utilized.
  Major General Umbarger is one of the most accomplished adjutant 
generals in the country and a valuable leader in Indiana. He has led 
the Indiana National Guard and served our state and nation with 
integrity and distinction over his 45 year career in the Armed Forces. 
I wish him and his family the best of luck as they prepare for the next 
chapter of their lives.

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